CDC Releases Updated Program Evaluation Framework by Daniel Kidder, Elena Luna, Heather Salvaggio, Destiny Bruce, Cassandra Davis, and Michael Kerzner

Date: Monday, May 18, 2026

Hello, AEA365 community! Liz DiLuzio here, Lead Curator of the blog. This week is Individuals Week, which means we take a break from our themed weeks and spotlight the Hot Tips, Cool Tricks, Rad Resources and Lessons Learned from any evaluator interested in sharing. Would you like to contribute to future individuals weeks? Email me at AEA365@eval.org with an idea or a draft and we will make it happen.

Hello fellow evaluators! We are Daniel Kidder*, Elena Luna, Heather Salvaggio, Destiny Bruce, Cassandra Davis**, and Michael Kerzner at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where we provide strategic direction on evidence and evaluation. We are pleased to share the CDC Program Evaluation Framework, 2024, an update to the 1999 framework, which guided high-quality program evaluations for 25 years, and the 2025 updated evaluation framework graphic.

Figure 1: Program Evaluation Framework Graphic, updated in 2025

This framework is the culmination of a multi-year process that included gathering input from over 850 individuals and organizations to create a resource to support the range of issues faced today by program evaluation practitioners.

The 2024 framework, a practical and nonprescriptive tool, summarizes and organizes essential elements of program evaluation. It can be applied at any level of the evaluation process from individual programs to broader systems, by novices and experts for planning and implementing an evaluation. It maintains the simplicity and flexibility of the 1999 framework, a recognizable graphic, and retains six steps in the evaluation process.

Notable differences in the 2024 Framework include:

• Updated terminology and definitions
• Changed Step 1 focus to assess context

Added three new cross-cutting actions to be integrated throughout an evaluation:

1. Engage collaboratively
2. Learn from and use insights
3. Promote fair and just evaluation practices and outcomes

• Updated evaluation standards to align with federal evaluation standards
• Increased emphasis on how to use the framework, including how to apply cross-cutting actions and standards within each step.

Lessons Learned

We learned many lessons from the process of updating the framework. Here are a few of these lessons:

• Collaboration is a powerful force for learning and change. We aimed to build in collaboration from the start. This involved engaging a large work group of CDC evaluators, collaborating with a smaller CDC steering committee, and gathering insights from various audiences who used the framework (more than 850 individuals and organizations). Through these engagements we learned what was useful, what could be improved, and received valuable suggestions that were actively used throughout the process.
• Reconciling diverse perspectives is challenging, but possible. We held many discussions with large and smaller groups to understand the insights provided and determine how to address them. Ultimately, we tailored our updates for individuals who are newer to evaluation, and we reference more details in supplemental materials.
• Never underestimate the power of a visual. We wanted to maintain the simplicity of the 1999 graphic while also reflecting the iterative nature of the steps and evaluation process. We used color and shape to convey fluidity and movement. We included the new cross- cutting actions as an outer circle wrapping around to show that these actions should be considered throughout the evaluation process.
• Balance thoughtful planning with flexibility. Updating the evaluation framework spanned multiple years and required a thoughtful plan and approach. Adapting to different and sometimes changing contexts was also key. We learned that collaboration varied across interest holders, so we tailored our approach to their availability and interest.

We recently released supplementary resources to support the updated framework, available on our evaluation website. This includes the new Program Evaluation Framework Action Guide, which helps new or early career evaluators apply the framework across programs and settings. The guide offers practical steps for planning, designing, and implementing evaluations. We would love to hear from you about what would be helpful as you put the evaluation framework into action! Reach us at cdceval@cdc.gov.

*Now at the U.S. General Services Administration.

**Now at CDavis Enterprises, LLC.

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